Game Balance

[Bern]

Let me start this post by stating an over-riding view which is that, despite a number of frustrations, this is the best PC game I have ever played. Clearly there are still areas to be looked at, and I would regard Diplomacy as one of the most important here, but it is more than possible to get immersed in a good game.

Although I now have a reasonable grasp of the mechanics, mine is still very much an untutored opinion and I would be grateful for the views of those more expert on a matter which is causing me some concern, ie game balance. I'm thinking particularly of the balance between the effects of military and non-military actions. In the latter category, I would include Diplomacy, Events and Political choices.

There is no doubt that this latter category brings a great deal of richness to the game and is a vital component, but I am beginning to question its influence on the course of play. I have a lot of admiration for the minds which developed these original concepts for the boardgame and imagine that these areas presented a significant challenge in the conversion to the PC.

Additionally, it may well be that bugs in the various calculations have over-emphasised the significance of non-military events and that the ongoing patches will improve things. However, all the while that a whole slew of AI events and politics can reduce powers such as GB and France from a relatively healthy NW to revolution in one phase does for me raise an issue of balance.

Bern

[Tamas]

What should be looked at regarding this is (maybe) still lurking miscalculations, and making sure the AI does not select needless political actions.

That's because I do not worry about overall game balance, in terms of a "working as designed" game system, because the boardgame looked to be pretty decent in that department.

So further bughunt and AI optimization should be the top priority regarding balance, because I believe that the basic system, taken from LGG, is good so rules themselves should not be touched.

[Clovis]

before thinking about game rules changes for play balancce, let be sure there's no bug affecting results or AI behaviour. But i guess the computer version being much more played than the boardgame, such a rise in game results could maybe reveal the necessity to finetune the mechanismes for play balance.

[Nial]

The game is playable, and with the release of 105f, I am having a great time with it. Though in my humble opinion, diplomacy, and the way events work need some work, whether they just need some bug fixing, or reworking for balance issues has yet to be made clear to me. Especialy in the 4 player campaign. That your AI ally can do two diplo missions, and the AI enemy does one per nation is certainly not right. Event issues have been noted in another thread as well. Playing the 2 player campaign these diplo issues are minimal to non-existent. But the game has certainly come a great distance and I am very hopeful that the final product will fulfill it's incredible potential.

Nial